Saturday, March 17, 2018

Verse Key 12: 30Jesus taught the greatest commandment to one of the scribes, then he taught that he is the son of David, though he clashes with chronology. 1. You will love the Lord your God with all your heart (28-34)One of the scribes saw how Jesus could refute the adversaries who attacked him with their malicious questions. Then he approached Jesus and asked him the question about the greatest commandment. First, he drew the attention of all the people, saying,"Listen." It was Moses who said this way to say that the God of Israel was the one and only God on earth, therefore he is the Creator whose word is worthy to be heard. Even if he works in three persons, it is notorious that he is the one and only God. We must first love this one and only God in a way worthy of his name, that is, that he is worthy to receive all our being. We must love him with all our heart and soul and with all our thought and strength. Jesus added the second commandment, but as great as the first, is to love one's neighbour as oneself. Then the scribe summarized Jesus' teaching in an excellent way, even adding his commentary which was also excellent: for example, God is one, and there is no other, and replaces soul by intelligence, etc. He said,"God is one, and there is none else. He was an excellent man, so when Jesus saw him, he saw him with great admiration. Jesus says he is not far from the kingdom of God. By his intelligence, he has almost arrived in the kingdom of God. What does he miss?2. Christ is the son of David (35-37)

Now it is Jesus' turn to ask the question. It happened that there is some chronological discrepancy, for Jesus is the son of David. But Jesus is the Lord of lords, therefore he is the Lord of King David. David himself confessed his filial relationship with the Messiah, that he is one of the Messiah's subjects. His Messiah is the mighty God who destroys the enemy and puts him in show, and puts them under his footsteps. He knew that the Messiah would come as his descendant, but he knew as a prophet that he too was a sinner redeemed by the coming Messiah. People listened with joy.

Wednesday, March 14, 2018

THEY KILLED HIM AND THREW HIM OUT.

Key verse 12:8

In reply to the leaders' question about authority, Jesus gave a parable, that of the winegrowers. The vineyard's authority was greatly underestimated The owner of the vineyard had authority, but it was not well known. The action of the winegrowers was very serious before God.

1. They killed the envoys (1-8)

A man had a beautiful vine. He took great care to establish an environment conducive to fruit bearing. Then he rented it to winegrowers before going on a trip. In the coming season, he sent his servants to receive the harvest from the winegrowers. Now the winegrowers had become extremely proud and arrogant, so much so that they put every envoy to death . Finally, for the owner, only his own son remained. Thinking that that they would have the minimum of conscience to respect his son, he sent him. However, the winegrowers were treated him more violently that they did the others. They were very wicked, for they thought that if they killed him, the heir, the vine would be theirs. They threw his body out of the vineyard, and he would surely have fallen prey to predators.What happened to them, those men and the vines they had coveted so much.

2. The rejected stone became the main stone (29-33)

Jesus quoted the word of Psalm 118:22 to indicate how he who is martyred by the wicked becomes a very important person. His tribulation and martyrdom are not in vain. God sees his pain and suffering, and He will reward such a man. Those who unjustly suffer atrocity and mistreatment from the wicked will receive the just reward from God. This only son so unhappily killed and thrown out of the vineyard refers to the Son of God sent by God to save sinful humanity. He only had the will to receive a little bit of fruit in exchange of the life that he gave man. It is the will of our master. The problem of the persecuting winegrowers was that they considered the field not as rented property, but as their own. They were not thankful for their fields where they could work and earn a living, but they thought the owner was exploiting their labour. Man blames God who gave him many things, including his life. As soon as he returns, the owner will take the vine away and give it to the others. The leaders grinded their teeth to grasp Jesus, but his hour had not yet come.

THE TRIUMPHANT ENTRANCE

Key verse : 11:3

This part is called Jesus' the triumphal entrance. Whatever we do, the way we enter is a great sign to indicate what would happen next. Let us study how Jesus humbly entered this city , even though he is the one who comes in the name of the Lord. Why is his entry triumphant?

1. Say: The Lord needs it (1-3)

Jesus called 2 of his disciples and commissioned them to prepare the entry into Jerusalem. Their mission was to bring a colt so that Jesus could ride on it to enter the city. It was a test of faith for the disciples, for they had to detach an animal of burden from another, which was theft. However, Jesus said that the owner would let the animal go when they said,"The Lord needs it". Yet it will be no less difficult to follow this direction, because they would have to detach the animal as if they were going to steal it. In this case they would just have to believe that what Jesus said was true and that the people would let the animal go as he said. In any case they left and experienced faith through their obedience. This event teaches us that Jesus is the ruler of the world and everything on earth. We also learn that whatever it is, if we do it by faith, Jesus will bless it. Therefore, let us listen to the word of Jesus, however unreasonable it may be, because God always blesses the one who obeys his word unconditionally.

2. Hosanna, blessed be...! (4-10)

When Jesus went up on the colt, the people gathered around him and began to shout: "Hosanna, blessed be he who comes in the name of the Lord." Hosanna means, come save us. Jesus is the one who saves us. He can save us from our enemies, but what he truly saves us from is the yoke of sin.Sin is like a club that keeps knocking on our backs. However, when we come humbly before Jesus and lay down our sins with a contrite heart, he saves us from all injustice and makes us pure and healthy. In the past we were sold to sin, but now by the blood of Jesus poured out on the cross, we are redeemed and healed of all our sins. We are saved from our sins and we are heirs to the kingdom of God. From Satan's slave, we become beloved children of God. On the other hand, through the death and resurrection of Jesus, Satan's head will be crushed. Hence the name "triumphant entry" for this part of the beginning of the passion.

Saturday, March 10, 2018

Today's account describes the moment when Jesus cursed the fig tree. He uses this moment to teach about faith. Let's learn the true faith that Jesus teaches and clothe ourselves with this faith so we can be victorious in our lives and missions.

1. May your fruit no longer be eaten (11-19)

After the triumphal entry, Jesus visited and examined the temple. Jesus is the Creator of heaven and earth. God made the temple so that people could worship Him there. Jesus left the temple, and while walking out of the city, he saw a fig tree. Being hungry, he looked for fruit. Since it was not the season, there was no fruit. Jesus then cursed the tree, saying that never again would people eat from that tree. This curse seems unfair, since it was not the season. However, Jesus wanted to show the future of the nation of Israel, which had not fulfilled its mission. This mission has no season, just as Timothy says to preach in season and out. The tree is a creation and its purpose is to satisfy man's appetite. In the same way, the temple is created by God to be a pleasant house which bears fruit. However, in becoming a den of thieves, it lost all purpose. It was supposed to be a house of prayer for all nations, but Israel and its leaders lost this purpose. He who has lost the meaning of his existence becomes an object of curses. Jesus, overwhelmed with anger because of the corruption in the temple, turns over money tables and releases the animals.

2. Have faith in God (20-26)

The disciples were troubled because the fig tree had been dried to the root. Peter exclaimed, "Rabbi. . .!" It was frightening to witness such a scene. Peter was astonished, not because the tree had wilted, but because of the power of Jesus' words. He wanted this same power in his mission and in life. Yet Jesus says this kind of thing can never happen without faith. Jesus says, "Have faith in God". It is said that prayer is the measure of faith. So, if we have faith, we can pray. While praying, we must believe that our requests are accepted and answered. If we pray by faith, a miracle occurs. But before praying, we must forgive those who have sinned against us. Prayer is not a rite, but a personal relationship with God.

Thursday, March 8, 2018

Before entering Jerusalem, Jesus healed a blind man. It was the last miracle and he would do no others. Jesus offered healing to this man because of his cries. There is something to learn here concerning faith.

1. Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me (46-50)

Jesus heard the cry of a blind man on the way. Though he was busy and hurried on the way to death, Jesus heard the cry of a desperate man. He wanted to help him. Thank you Lord Jesus who hears our cries and is always ready to help us. A lot of people keep silent, thinking that Jesus knows everything, but it is not so. Jesus wants us to cry out desperately in order to receive blessing. A lot of people are too used to their status quo and fear what others will say. Thus they do not cry out and do not experience the power of God through which Jesus answers. We must not keep silent and in spite of any blocks or prohibition, we must be audacious in order to dare the impossible. Healing was a question of life or death for Bartimaeus. We must repent for having long since lost the desire to be healed. Otherwise, Jesus cannot answer. Look how this man, who doesn't even have his own name (Bartimaeus means "son of Timaeus"), desperately fights for healing. Heaven is moved when the heart beats.

2. Go, your faith has made you well (51-52)

What do you want me to do? Jesus knew what the blind man wanted him to do. Yet, he wanted him to verbally express his desire, "Yes, I want to". Romans 10:10 says that if we confess with our mouth, we are saved. Here again, we see how much speaking aloud is important for the believer who desires an answer to his prayers. Let's communicate our needs to God in clear words. On other words, we have to clearly state the subjects of our prayers and clearly bring them out loud before Jesus. Jesus, who saw in the blind man a clear subject and the absence of doubt, decided to heal him. "Go, your faith has made you well." The blind man recovered his sight immediately. Truly, it is faith which triumphs in the end in our lives. There is no illness which cannot be healed, if we have the will to be healed. This is true if we pray humbly, believing in the power of Jesus and persevering in spite of many obstacles.

Key verse 10:21The word of this morning teaches us the way for mankind to reach the kingdom of God. Many have the desire to do so, but few recognize the path. This path is far from an easy life. 1. You're missing one thing (17-27)When the young man came to Jesus, he called him "good master." Jesus says that only God is good. Jesus is God, he is good. He is full of kindness, so he sacrifices his body for us. The goodness of God is great but hidden, but the goodness of Jesus, Son of God, is concrete and tangible. Man must accept his goodness and give himself to him. This young man was adorable, for he kept all the commandments from his youth. He was so pleasant that Jesus loved him with all his tenderness. He was really perfect in appearance, but inside there was no faith. Jesus told him to sell his goods and give the price to the poor. But he refused because he had a lot of good. He went away sadly, therefore, Jesus said that it is easier for the camel to pass through the needle hole than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God. Man cannot divide his heart between wealth and the kingdom of God. The disciples could not easily accept this fact because of their material and selfish desire that remained in them. 2. Jesus comforted the disciples (41-51)

Jesus saw that the disciples were perplexed. If it is so, who would enter the kingdom of God. But they didn't know what sacrifice they made. If a rich man sold his material was difficult, for them too, abandoning the family was also difficult. But they didn't know him. So Jesus comforted his disciples. When Peter claimed that he had left everything, Jesus recognized him and appreciated his sacrifice. The same was true for all the disciples. Truly, they have abandoned everything, even their most intimate members of the family, their wealth, even if it is so small compared to that of the rich young man. Still, it was quite a sacrifice. It was for the name of Jesus and His glory that they did all this. Some of us have abandoned their families to gain the citizenship of God. They are great before God. Jesus says that if they did so, a reward is given to them in heaven. They will also receive persecution at the same time, but their reward will be much greater: new home and new family, and finally eternal life.

Monday, March 5, 2018

Key verse 9:31Today's word teaches us about the second proclamation of Jesus' death and resurrection, and disciples' desire to become great. This desire is not necessarily bad, but in this context, it was not appropriate.

1. Jesus announces his death (30-32)Jesus departed from the area north of Caesarea of Philip where there was the mountain of transfiguration, and passed through Galilee. It was his native land, but Jesus behaved anonymously. After receiving Peter's confession that Jesus is Christ, Jesus began to say that he must be put to death and be resurrected on the third day. For whatever reason that Peter did not accept this, which revealed his immaturity, Jesus scolded him and realised that the time to announce his death and resurrection had come again. Yet, despite the message repeated in this way, the disciples did not accept it, or rather they had decided not to accept it. They were torpored and paralyzed with fear. They were even afraid to question him (32).

2. The greatest (33-37)

Jesus had just announced his death and resurrection. Given the seriousness of this matter, the disciples should have had a very serious posture and asked themselves questions about it. However, their questioning was not of this kind, they were wondering, a journey that milled together with Jesus, who will be the greatest. They always had this sense of comparison with others. Then in the house Jesus began to teach about true greatness among men. Men seek to be great from the point of view of wealth, education, ability, etc.. However, true greatness is that someone serves others. Here, the conception of true greatness is totally at odds with what is the greatness of the world. If someone serves someone else, people will neglect him, but from God's point of view, he is the great one. Jesus gave the audio-visual teaching through a child. People neglect such small existences, but it is precisely through them that greatness flows. The one who serves as a small task, God will give him the responsibility to govern ten cities. The disciples had to repent of their desire to be great, especially since Jesus was about to face death through crucifixion.

God hates those who are filled with his own righteousness. Today's words
speak volumes. Israel is like modern legalist believers who imagine themselves
to obtain salvation by their own strength.

1. God is the Judge (1-13) The appearance of God is dreadful. In the
midst of storm and fire devouring and with a thunderous sound, he will appear
and summon the earth to judge. He summoned Israel, who was the people of the
Covenant, and never ceased to offer burnt offerings. The problem was not really
sacrifice, the problem was the disposition of heart with which they brought and
offered sacrifice. What were they like? They offered many of the burnt
offerings, thinking that they would satisfy God. Nevertheless, what they did
was not what God wanted to have. God pushes people to look at heaven and earth
and all the animals that they lock up. Who owns all these animals and birds?
Doesn't it all belong to God? Does God eat animal flesh? But they acted as if
God were eating him and giving him a meal to please him. They were so
humanistic and carnal. God did not rejoice in it.

2. Sacrifice of gratitude (14-23) God says,"I'm tired of your
sacrifices." What God wanted was not such sacrifices, however abundant
they may be. What God wanted was the contrite heart and recognition in the
heart. Then, the personal relationship with God matters most. When we pray in
the name of Jesus, he listens to us. God really rejoices in having a
relationship with his people and this relationship is established when man
repents and asks for God's mercy and offers the sacrifice of gratitude. From v.
16 to 21, the Bible says what the activities of the wicked were. They were the
pseudo-believers, having fun with the word of God. But they didn't put it into
practice. They never learned and despised the truth. They ally themselves with
the guilty such adulterers and hate brothers. God keeps silence, so that the
wicked thought that God would tolerate them, but this silence will not last
that long. God will judge their life double. One thing we should not forget is
that God wants to sacrifice, not animals, but the heart. We must watch out for
our path, which so quickly risks turning away from the truth.